DACC President Margie Huerta announces retirement
New Mexico State University Interim President Manuel Pacheco today accepted a letter of retirement from Dona Ana Community College President Margie Huerta. Her retirement is effective January 31, 2014.
"I want to thank Dr. Huerta for her passion and hard work in moving NMSU DACC forward during the last eight years," Pacheco said. "In the coming months, I will work with Dr. Huerta and the DACC leadership team to ensure an effective transition."
Dona Ana Community College is the fourth largest higher education institution in New Mexico. Since 2004, when Huerta was named president of DACC, it has become one of the fastest growing community colleges in the nation. Under her leadership, enrollment increased by more than 50 percent from 6,083 students to more than 9,800 in 2011. The college also added satellite campuses in Gadsden, Chaparral, Hatch and the DACC East Mesa campus.
"Serving as president of DACC has been the highest honor of my career," Huerta said. "I want to thank the students, faculty, staff and all our benefactors for the strong support they have given me and our college. Working together we have achieved the largest enrollment increase in the history of the college and received national recognition for our efforts. I am particularly proud of the tremendous expansion we accomplished to serve the needs of our community. Looking forward, there is still work to be done. I am committed to continuing all efforts and ensuring a smooth transition throughout the next year."
Huerta was instrumental in forging stronger relationships with the three local school districts. Her efforts led to the creation of the first Early College High School in New Mexico.
"Dr. Huerta's time as president will be remembered as one of great growth," Pacheco said. "It also was one in which Dona Ana Community College established itself as a critically important force for the economic well being of our region. I want to thank her for her years of service and wish her good fortune in all future endeavors."
